Introduction
This interview was conducted with Mr. Ahmed, an Emirati national working with Sikologia Consultancy. Mr. Ahmed has a Ph.D. and BA in educational psychology from UAE University. He provides consultancy and training to education instructors. The consultancy and training program use personal strengths and weaknesses to achieve optimal results.
Characteristics and qualities
Mr. Ahmed career as an educational psychologist is based on innate desire to help instructors achieve their goals. Educational psychologists’ commitment to aiding learners to overcome various challenges is part of their duties. Also, an educational psychologist is expected to deliver services with care and empathy. This is critical in building trust and relationship between the professional and the client. Therefore, additional qualities of diplomacy and sensitivity to confidential information are expected of a professional. Mr. Ahmed’s excellent communication and interpersonal skills are critical in ensuring that the interview process is successful. A professional is required to be patient and resilient with the client’s problems, as well as the learning process.
Motivation
Mr. Ahmed vividly remembers his inability to utilize correct learning behaviors during his childhood. He was called a slow learner by his teachers. Mr. Ahmed attributes his learning inabilities to a dysfunctional family. “My parents were in constant fights, and had no time to attend to school issues,” he said.
On the other hand, the lack of teachers’ commitment to using special teaching strategies was evidenced. He adds, “the teachers were unaware why some of the learners did not match up with others.” From the above reasons, Mr. Ahmed vowed to help young learners and teachers in similar situations. “I find it necessary to equip modern teachers to address learners’ special needs and understand the psychological aspects affecting a successful education process,” says Mr. Ahmed.
The roles
Mr. Ahmed is categorical that an educational psychologist is an assessor of the underlying conditions influencing the learning process. This means that assessing learning and emotional requirements of both the student and teacher is critical. The educational psychologists are called developers of therapeutic programs that change learning behaviors. Other issues to be developed include education policies, course plans, and standards. Educational psychologists are considered to be advisors. This is derived from their role of providing teachers, learners, and parents with supportive information about teaching, intervention, and learning practices.
Day-to-day challenges
Mr. Ahmed reckons that getting teachers agree to attend training programs is a challenge. Also, committing to a new concept that does not conform to the existing curriculum is difficult. Trying to relate educational psychology to teachers, learners, and parents cannot make an immediate impact. Sometimes, it is difficult to show evidence of how educational psychology is beneficial in the learning process. This requires research-based evidenced to prove the importance of educational psychology. Moreover, developing a collaborative approach among teachers, learners, and parents can be challenging.
Successes and failures
Mr. Ahmed is renowned for successfully developing and establishing a new school course plan that addresses teachers and learners emotional requirements in various schools. On the other hand, Mr. Ahmed has failed to show the significance of the phenomenon by not implementing educational psychology programs across the country.
Conclusion
Mr. Ahmed reckons that the country’s education system requires input from educational psychologists. “The society cannot ignore the fact that teachers and learners’ emotional requirements affect the effectiveness of an education system,” he said.